St. Paul’s McNally Smith College of Music has introduced a new three semester program in hip-hop studies. The courses cover the full breadth of getting started in the hip-hop industry focusing on recording and mixing in a studio, learning about the culture and history of hip-hip, creative writing, deejaying, production, and performing. The courses integrate with the school’s other courses allowing students to focus on performance, composition, business, or technology.

One of the best things about the program is that McNally went right to the huge source of local talent we have in the Twin Cities. They brought in local artists like Dessa (Doomtree), Toki Wright, Sean McPherson (Heiruspecs), Medium Zach & Brandon Allday (Big Quarters) to support and teach the program.

The Hip-Hop Diploma is the first nationally accredited diploma program for hip-hop, and is part of an associate or bachelors degree. More information available about the Hip-Hop Diploma and tons of videos from the program are below.

McNally Smith Hip-Hop Diploma